Lesson 10 for March 8, 2014

1. Israel’s mission to the Nations.2. Awakening Israel.3. Israel rejects the Nations.4. Jesus and the Nations.5. The Gospel to the Nations.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8)

“And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:6-7 NIV)

All the nations should have been drawn close to God by Israel’s testimony.Then, they would have asked Israel about God so they could been led in God’s paths (Micah 4:1-2)Jerusalem would have been the capital city of all nations. The Temple would have been the religious center “for all peoples.”

“So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them” (Jonah 3:5)

Adad-nirari III (810-782), king of Assyria (whose capital city was Nineveh), was converted to the monotheism. That proves that the nations were ready to hear Israel’s testimony.Unfortunately, Israel was not willing to testify. Jonah was “displeased exceedingly, and he became angry” when the Ninevites converted; but he was the one God chose to spread the Gospel in Nineveh!

There are still places were the Christian religion is not known yet. For example, some places in Asia, Africa, Oceania, the Amazon rainforest… We are called to preach in those places, just like Jonah was.

“And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11)

Jesus tried to awaken Israel, so they could fulfill their mission—to share the message of salvation with every people.

In Jesus’ parable of the Good In Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, the kindness of the Samaritan, the kindness of the Samaritan contrasts the indifference Samaritan contrasts the indifference of the Israelite leaders (Lk. 10:30-37)of the Israelite leaders (Lk. 10:30-37)

Being a citizen of the Kingdom doesn’t Being a citizen of the Kingdom doesn’t have to do with our ethnic have to do with our ethnic background, but with our character.background, but with our character.

The Jewish didn’t understand that. The Jewish didn’t understand that. They hated the foreigners, and they They hated the foreigners, and they even used the word “Samaritan” to even used the word “Samaritan” to insult Jesus.insult Jesus.

““They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.”… Then the Jews answered would do the works of Abraham.”… Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?”Samaritan and have a demon?”” ” (John 8:39, 48)(John 8:39, 48)

“The children of Israel were to occupy all the territory which God appointed them. Those nations that rejected the worship and service of the true God were to be dispossessed. But it was God’s purpose that by the revelation of His character through Israel men should be drawn unto Him. To the entire world the gospel invitation was to be given. Through the teaching of the sacrificial service Christ was to be uplifted before the nations, and all who would look unto Him should live. All who, like Rahab the Canaanite, and Ruth the Moabitess, turned from idolatry to the worship of the true God, were to unite themselves with His chosen people. As the numbers of Israel increased they were to enlarge their borders, until their kingdom should embrace the world.God desired to bring all peoples under His merciful rule. He desired that the earth should be filled with joy and peace. He created man for happiness, and He longs to fill human hearts with the peace of heaven. He desires that the families below shall be a symbol of the great family above”

E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 23, pg. 290)

“As the wise men had come from the East at the beginning… so these Greeks, representing the nations, tribes, and peoples of the world, came to see Jesus. So the people of all lands and all ages would be drawn by the Saviour’s cross” (DA, cp. 68, pg. 621)

“Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”” (John 12:20-21)

Jesus was visited by some Greeks during His last week in the Temple (John 12:20-36)

A heavenly voice proclaimed Christ’s glorification to strengthen the faith of Jewish and Greeks.Jesus taught two lessons in that moment:

“Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”” (John 12:20-21)

“The commission given to the disciples is given also to us. Today, as then, a crucified and risen Saviour is to be uplifted before those who are without God and without hope in the world. The Lord calls for pastors, teachers, and evangelists. From door to door His servants are to proclaim the message of salvation. To every nation, kindred, tongue, and people the tidings of pardon through Christ are to be carried. Not with tame, lifeless utterances is the message to be given, but with clear, decided, stirring utterances. Hundreds are waiting for the warning to escape for their lives. The world needs to see in Christians an evidence of the power of Christianity. Not merely in a few places, but throughout the world, messages of mercy are needed.”

E.G.W. (Gospel workers, section 1, pg. 29)